Togail na Tebe = The Thebiad of Statius : the Irish text

THE THEBAIDPelasgus, Adrastus' grandfather, was given to Phlegyas as areward for their discus play.And the heroes were not strong for celebrating the game ofcestus at that time, except Capaneus, who, as an awful balefularch of war, was asking of the hosts that one of them should riseagainst him, with his bull-hide gloves for an affray on his handsAnd this is what he" Let one hero of you, O men," said he, "come against mewith very long thongs from the points of his fingers, and fullheavymasses of lead on the ends of these.said :at the cestus game, and I should prefer that it were a championof the Thebans that should then come, for he would fall by meat this time." A great silence was that for the Greeks, and vastdismay seized them before him ; and yet a very young Spartanhero, to wit, Alcidamas, rose to oppose him. Now amazementwas on the Greeks that he should rise, for he was young as regardsage, though he was expert in prowess ; and Pollux was that lad'sinstructor in prowess and in the game of cestus. When Capaneussaw him approaching, he greatly grumbled at him, and waslaughing and jeering at him, and asking another man along withhim to oppose him. Not to fear or to flight did that moveAlcidamas ; but he became angry manfully and very fiercely atCapaneus till they raised very brave hands like emblazonedbright thunderbolts, each to strike the other's body.The Greekshad misgivings that the youth Alcidamas would die there, for vastwas the size and fury of the soldier that was opposed to him, towit, Capaneus; for no hero on earth was so big as that champion.Alcidamas, on the other hand, was cautiously and very shrewdlywaiting for him.But he attacked the youth fiercely ruthlesslyand compassed him about as honeysuckle encompasses woods, oras a great huge sea wave encompasses rocks of a haven andharbour. Alcidamas provided for and attended to that, andno blow went from him in over-confidence or vacuity withoutstriking Capaneus on the top of the head or the front partof his face, so that his hair and his face were crimson andc 161 11